Yae, Abrha Top Philly Marathon

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PHILADELPHIA, PA—Tadesse Yae of Ethiopia managed this effort perfectly to win the Philadelphia Marathon, held November 18, 2018, in 2:14:47. Yae a resident of New York City, had finished the NYC Marathon, just two weeks prior in 2:13:57 to place 12th overall and first among NYRR members. Yae ran comfortably the entire race, letting others lead until the final miles. Serkalem Abrha, an Ethiopian who is based in Albuquerque, NM led the women from the start and won in a new course record of 2:32:53.

As a photographer covering the event, I was moved by the sheer joy of the eleven runners who qualified for the USA Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta in 2020.

While Ethiopian runners took the podium spots among the men in Philadelphia, fourth place finisher Juris Silenieks of Allison Park, PA took fourth in 2:17:37. (I had him pose with Meb for a photo).

Matthew Herzig of Philadelphia finished sixth in the marathon in 2:18:36, as the only other man to qualify for the US Olympic Marathon Trials.

Anna Weber of Indianapolis ran in second place for the entire race, and finished in 2:40:12. Defending champ Sarah Kiptoo of Kenya and Santa Fe, NM was third in 2:42:42. After Weber, came eight more USA women under the 2:45:00 qualification standard. The happy runners were as follows: Margaret VIdo of Philadelphia (2:42:50), Bailey Drewes of Ithaca, NY (2:42:59), Katie Rodden of Ardmore (2:43:10), Alexandra Bernardi of New York City (2:43:43), Kayla Brown of Edwardsville, IL (2:43:57), Kaitlin Frei of Philadelphia (2:44:14), Michelle Langan of Cary, NC (2:44:39), and Gabrielle Russo of East Islip, NY (2:44:52). Russo had to push to the limit and made the cutoff by eight seconds. Congratulations to all OQ marathoners. Carly Shea of Lewisburg PA (home of RG) was first Masters and 15th overall in 2:49:19.